Leaked Military Footage and Political Fallout: How Israel’s Debate Has Buried a Palestinian Rape Case
The admission by Major General Yifat Tomer‑Yerushalmi that she leaked footage appearing to show the gang rape of a Palestinian detainee at the Sde Teiman military detention centre in July 2024 has shifted Israel’s national conversation away from the victim and toward a bitter political fight over institutions and accountability.
The assault, reported to have occurred on July 5, 2024, was described by Haaretz as brutal: the detainee was hospitalised with a ruptured bowel, severe anal and lung injuries, and broken ribs requiring surgery. Rather than sustained coverage of the alleged crime and the victim’s injuries, much of the public debate has concentrated on who leaked the footage, why, and what the leak means for the balance of power between Israel’s government, military and judiciary.
Sequence of events
After initial reports in August 2024, the leak prompted a widening inquiry. Attorney‑General Gali Baharav‑Miara announced an investigation in early October into the tape’s source. On November 1, Tomer‑Yerushalmi resigned and admitted she had leaked the footage. She was later reported missing for several hours amid fears for her wellbeing; after being found safe she was arrested and has been charged with multiple offences, including fraud, breach of trust, obstruction of justice and abuse of office.
Police have also detained Colonel Matan Solomosh, the military’s former chief prosecutor, on suspicion of assisting in concealing the leak, and there have been allegations and media speculation about potential involvement by Attorney‑General staff—claims that are the subject of official inquiries.
Political responses and context
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu called the leak "perhaps the most severe public relations attack that the State of Israel has experienced," while senior ministers accused Tomer‑Yerushalmi of betrayal and even "treason." Critics say those reactions fit a larger political strategy: they argue Mr. Netanyahu and allies are using the episode to weaken civilian oversight and to delegitimise senior legal figures who opposed his 2023 judicial reforms.
“It’s a huge story in Israel, but you won’t see the word ‘rape’ anywhere in it,” said Orly Noy, editor of the Hebrew‑language Local Call, reflecting on the narrow focus of much coverage.
Political analyst Ori Goldberg summarised the shift in priorities bluntly: the primary concern for many actors is not the alleged assault but the identity and motives of the leaker and what that reveals about the so‑called "deep state." For opponents of the government’s proposed judicial changes, Attorney‑General Baharav‑Miara’s resistance made her and her office targets long before the leak.
Implications for prosecution
Amid the political storm, prospects for prosecuting the alleged attackers have diminished. In October the alleged victim was reportedly returned to Gaza as part of a captives exchange, raising questions about witness availability. On a recent court appearance five of the indicted soldiers had their charges downgraded to "severely abusing" the detainee, and defence lawyers have argued the leak prejudiced the legal process.
Suspects and their supporters portrayed themselves as patriots defending the country since October 7, and said they face unfair targeting by a politicised judiciary. Critics—including members of parliament such as Aida Touma‑Suleiman—contend that focusing on the leak and on prosecutors is a deliberate diversion from the crime and from holding alleged perpetrators accountable.
Where attention remains
Journalists and observers warn that the mutual accusations of cover‑up and institutional betrayal have crowded out reporting and public scrutiny of the victim and of broader patterns of abuse. As Orly Noy put it, "For the two sides, this is all about the system and nothing to do with the Palestinian victim." The case now sits at the intersection of criminal investigation, military accountability and a highly polarised political battle over the future of Israel’s judiciary and civilian oversight.
